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December 7, 2016

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Lead Article - Programming

Practical RPG: Processing Stream Files, Part 2

In part 1, we processed a directory. In part 2, we process one file in that directory.

Written by Joe Pluta

Stream files are not database files.

While that statement is obvious to programmers, it's not always clear to the greater community. The end users, the folks whose jobs we are supposed to be supporting, use various forms of stream files to store their data, and they don't understand why we can't for example just "use this spreadsheet" as part of our application. And while that's an interesting philosophical discussion, as programmers we sometimes have to simply get things done, and that in turn means taking whatever data the user sent us. I've spent a lot of time over the years importing data primarily from Exceland more specifically from comma-delimited files. Two techniques exist: CPYFRMIMPF and parsing the data in RPG. CPYFRMIMPF is a completely different animal that perhaps can be covered another…

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Feature Article - Programming

RPG Academy: Write Better Code - Commenting and Documenting Strategies

Usually, programmers don’t comment their code appropriately, for a variety of reasons: “I don’t have the time,” “My code speaks for itself,” etc. Mostly, they simply hate doing it. Let me try to refute these excuses with practical strategies and tools.

 Written by Rafael Victória-Pereira

As I’ve said throughout this series, a procedure’s name and parameter list should be enough for the programmer to understand the objective of that piece of code. However, there are times when this is not enough: complex procedures, generic names, uninspired input/output parameter names…and the list goes on and on. The next section of this TechTip will help you in the process of creating proper documentation for your newly created procedures and functions, with a few tips of what you should and shouldn’t do.

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JUST ADDED

IBM i Resources Retiring?

Let’s face it: IBM i experts and RPG programmers are retiring from the workforce. These folks have been managing all areas of your business—often manually and behind the scenes—for decades, everything from IT operations to data and documents to cybersecurity.

Are you prepared to handle their departure?

During this 30-mintue recorded webinar, our panel of IBM i experts—Chuck Losinski, Robin Tatam, Richard Schoen, and Tom Huntington—will outline strategies that allow your company to cope with IBM i skills depletion by adopting these strategies that allow you to get the job done without deep expertise on the OS:

  • Automate IBM i processes
  • Use managed services to help fill the gaps
  • Secure the system against data loss and viruses

IBM i skills depletion is a top concern for IBM i shops around the world. The strategies you discover in this webinar will help you ensure that your system of record—your IBM i—continues to deliver a powerful business advantage, even as staff retires.

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Find Out Why You Should Keep Data on IBM i

It’s simple. IBM i is the most reliable, securable, and powerful platform to house your critical business data.

IBM i was built for business and has added features and functionality over the years to keep up with modern business needs. You can trust it to run your business, access your data in real-time, and keep your data secure. Plus, IBM i can scale to your business and handle all of your critical data. Can your other platforms do that?

We didn’t think so.

Watch this 30-minute webinar to learn why you should keep your data on IBM i, including:

  • IBM i is reliable
  • IBM i offers fast and secure real-time data access
  • IBM i helps your business prepare for tomorrow

Plus, we demonstrate how Sequel Data Access helps you modernize IBM i data access and meet your business needs.

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Implementing Multiple Layers of Defense

Your IBM i holds a massive amount of data. In most organizations, that data constitutes a mission-critical and high-value asset.

How do you adequately protect the data residing on your IBM i, given its value to your organization? IBM has provided us with many options for protecting our data, but it’s now always clear how to select and implement the best options for your circumstances.

This recorded webinar describes IBM i’s different data security options, along with implementation recommendations and tips for getting started. Carol Woodbury, one of the world’s top IBM i security experts, also provides considerations to help you determine how many layers of security are right for your organization.

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7 Habits of Highly Secure Organizations

Everyone knows that cybersecurity is important, but getting started on the road to data protection and compliance can be confusing and intimidating. Understanding common vulnerabilities helps you focus your attention and resources on the areas that need the most help.

We all want “best-practice” security, but what are top organizations doing to achieve and maintain it?

Watch this webinar to learn the details about how to develop the seven habits that are part of daily life for secure organizations. You’ll learn how to:

  • Break the Ostrich Syndrome
  • Develop a Security Policy
  • Assess Current Standing
  • Perform Security Event Logging and Review
  • Use “Best of Breed” Technologies
  • Monitor for Ongoing Compliance
  • Plan for the Future

This on-demand webinar examines what each of these habits means to IBM i, and helps you make sure that you don’t become the next security statistic.

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